VICTORIA CROSS WARRANT (29th January 1856 to 1920)

Firstly:: It is ordained that the distinction shall be styled and designated ‘THE VICTORIA CROSS' and shall consist of a Maltese Cross of bronze with Our Royal Crest in the centre and underneath which, an enscroll bearing the inscription, ‘For Valour'.


Secondly:: It is ordained that the Cross shall be suspended from the left breast by a blue riband for the navy, and by a red riband for the army.


Thirdly:: It is ordained that the names of those upon whom We may be pleased to confer the decoration shall be published in The London Gazette, and a registry thereof kept in the office of Our Secretary of State for War.


Fourthly:: It is ordained that anyone who, after having received the Cross, shall again perform an act of bravery, which, if he had not received such Cross, would have entitled him to it, such further act shall be recorded by a Bar attached to the riband by which the Cross is suspended, and for every additional act of bravery an additional Bar may be added.


Fifthly:: It is ordained that the Cross shall only be awarded to those officers or men that have served Us in the presence of the enemy, and shall have performed some signal act of valour or devotion to their country.


Sixthly:: It is ordained, with a view to place all persons on a perfectly equal footing in relation to eligibility for the decoration, that neither rank, nor long service, nor wounds, nor any other circumstance or condition whatsoever, save the merit of conspicuous bravery, shall be held to establish a sufficient claim to the honour.


Seventhly:: It is ordained that the decoration may be conferred on the spot where the act where the act to be rewarded by the grant of such decoration has been performed under the following circumstances;
I. When the fleet or army in which such act has been performed, is under the eye and command of an admiral or general officer commanding the force.
II Where the naval or military force is under the eye and command of an admiral or commodore commanding a squadron or detached naval force, or of a general commanding a corps, or division or brigade on a distinct and detached service , when such admiral, commodore, or general officer shall have the power of conferring the decoration on the spot, subject to confirmation by Us.


Eighthly:: It is ordained, where such an act shall not have been performed in sight of a commanding officer as aforesaid, then the claimant for the honour shall prove the act to the satisfaction of the captain or officer commanding his ship, or to the officer commanding the regiment to which the claimant belongs, and such captain or such commanding officer shall report the same through the usual channel to the admiral or commodore commanding the force employed on the service, or to the officer commanding the forces in the field, who shall call for such description and attestation of the act as he may think requisite, and on approval shall recommend the grant of the decoration.


Ninthly:: It is ordained that every person selected for the Cross, under Rule Seven, shall be publicly decorated before the naval or military force or body to which he belongs, and with which the act of bravery for which he is rewarded shall have been performed, and his name shall be recorded in a General Order, together with the cause of his especial distinction.


Tenthly:: It is ordained that every person selected under Rule Eight shall receive his decoration as soon as possible, and his name shall likewise appear in a General Order to be issued by the naval or military commander of the forces employed on the service.


Eleventhly:: It is ordained that the General Orders above referred to shall from time to time be transmitted to Our Secretary of State for War, to be laid before Us, and shall be by him registered.


Twelfthly:: It is ordained that cases may arise not falling within the rules above specified, or in which a claim, though well founded, may not have been established on the spot, We will, on the joint submission of Our Secretary of State for War, and of Our Commander-in chief of Our army, or on that of Our Lord High Admiral or Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty in the case of the navy, confer the decoration, but never without the conclusive proof of the performance of the act of bravery for which the claim is made.


Thirteenthly:: It is ordained, that in the event of a gallant and daring act having been performed by a squadron, ship's company, a detached body of seamen and marines, not under fifty in number, or by a brigade, regiment, troop, or company, in which the admiral, general, or other officer commanding such forces, may deem that all are equally brave and distinguished, and that no special selection can be made by them, then in such case the admiral, general, or other officer commanding may direct that for any such body of seamen and marines, or for every troop or company of soldiers, one officer shall be selected by the officers engaged for the decoration; and in like manner one petty officer or non-commissioned officer shall be selected by the petty officers or non-commissioned officers engaged; and two seamen or private soldiers or marines shall be selected by the seamen, or private soldiers, or marines engaged respectively for the decoration; and the names of those selected shall be transmitted by the senior officer in command of the naval forces, brigade, regiment, troop, or company, to the admiral or general officer commanding, who shall in due manner confer the decoration as if the acts were done under his own eye.


Fourteenthly:: It is ordained that every warrant officer, petty officer, seaman, or marine, or non-commissioned officer or soldier who shall have received the Cross, shall, from the date of the act by which the decoration has been gained, be entitled to a special pension of Ten Pounds a year, and each additional Bar conferred under Rule Four on such warrant or petty officers, or non-commissioned officers or men shall carry with it an additional pension of Five Pounds per annum.


Fifteenthly:: In order to make such additional provision as shall effectually preserve pure this most honourable distinction, it is ordained that if any person on whom such distinction shall be conferred, he be convicted of treason, cowardice, felony, or of any infamous crime, or if he is accused of any such offence and doth not after a reasonable time surrender himself to be tried for the same, his name shall forthwith be erased from the registry of individuals upon whom the said decoration shall have been conferred by an especial warrant under Our Royal Sign Manual, and the pension conferred under Rule Fourteen shall cease and determine from the date from the date of such warrant. It is hereby further declared that We, Our heirs and successors, shall be the sole judges of the circumstances demanding such expulsion; moreover, We shall at all times have power to restore such pensions as may at any time have been expelled both to the enjoyment of the decoration and pension.
Given at Our Court at Buckingham Palace, this twenty-ninth day of January of Our reign, and in the year of our Lord one thousand, eight hundred and fifty-six.
By Her Majesty's Command
Panmure


From the London Gazette, August 10th 1858.
By a warrant under Her Royal Sign Manual August 10, 1858, Her majesty was pleased to direct that the Victoria Cross should be conferred subject to the rules and ordinances already made on officers and men of Her Majesty's Naval and Military Services who may perform acts of conspicuous courage and bravery under circumstances of extreme danger. Such as the occerance of a fire on board ship, or the foundering of a vessel at sea or under any other circumstances in which, through the courage and devotion displayed, life or public property might be saved

 

From the London Gazette, July 8th 1859.
War office, July 6th, 1859.
The Queen, having been graciously pleased by a warrant under Her Royal Sign Manual, bearing date December 13, 1858, to declare that Non-Military Persons who, as Volunteers, have borne arms against the Mutineers, both at Lucknow and elsewhere, during the late operations in India, shall be consider as eligible to receive the Decoration of the Victoria Cross, subject to the rules and ordinances already made and ordained for the government thereof, provided that it be established in any case that the person was serving under the orders of a General or other Officer in Command of the Troops in the Field when he performed the Act of Bravery for which it is proposed to confer the decoration; Her Majesty has accordingly been pleased to signify Her intention to confer this high distinction on, etc. etc. (names following).


Victoria R.
Whereas, by a warrant under Our Royal Sign Manual, countersigned by one of Our Principal Secretaries of State, and bearing datye at Our Court at Buckingham Palace, the twenty- ninth day of January, one thousand eight hundred and fifty six in the nineteenth year of Our reign, We did constitute and create a new naval and military decoration, to be styled and designated the Victoria Cross, which decoration We expressed our desire should be highly prized and eagerly sought after by the officers and men of Our naval and military services, and did also make, ordain and establish the rules and ordinances therein set forth for the government of the same to be thenceforth inviolably observed and kept.
And whereas, during the progress of the operations which We have undertaken against the Insurgent native tribes in Our Colony of New Zealand, it has happened that persons serving in the Local Forces of Our said Colony have performed deeds of gallantry, in consideration of which they are not, according to the strict provision of Our said recited Warrant, eligible for this high distinction.
Now know ye, that We, of our especial grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, have thought fit hereby to signify Our Royal Will and Pleasur, that the said decoration may be conferred on such persons aforesaid, who may be qualified to receive the same in accordance with the rules and ordinances made, ordained and established by Us for the government thereof, by Our said recited Warrant, and we do by these presents for Us, Our heirs and successors, ordain and appoint that it shall be competent for such persons aforesaid to ontain the said decoration, in the manner set forth in the rules and ordinances referred to, or in accordance with such further rules and ordinances as may hereafter be made and promulgated by Us, Our heirs and successors for the government of the said decoration, provided that it be established in any case that the person was serving with Our Troops, under the orders of a general or other officer, under circumstances which would entitle an officer or soldier of Our army to be recommended for the said decoration, in accordance with the rules and ordinances prescribed in Our said recited Warrant, and provided also that such person shall be recommended for it by such General or other Officer.
And We do further, for Us, Our heirs and successors, ordain and appoint that the said decoration may also be conferred, in accordance with the rules and ordinances prescribed in Our said recited Warrant, and subject to the provisos aforesaid, on such persons as may be qualified to receive the same in accordance with the said rules and ordinances who may hereafter be employed in the Local Forces raised, or which may be raised, in Our Colonies and their dependencies, and who may be called upon to serve in co-operation with Our Troops, in military operations which it may be necessary to undertake for the suppression of rebellion against Our authority, or for repelling an invasion by a Foreign enemy.
Given at Our Court at Osborne House, Isle of Wight, this first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, in the thirtieth year of Our reirn.
By her Majesty's Command,
J. PEEL.

Victoria R.
Whereas doubts have arisen as to the qualification required for the decoration of the Victoria Cross, and whereas the description of such qualifications in Our Royal Warrant of twenty-ninth day of January, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, is not uniform, Our Will and Pleasure is that the qualification shall be "conspicuous bravery or devotion to the country in the presence of the enemy;" and that Our Royal Warrant of the twenty-ninth day of January, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, shall be read and interpreted accordingly.
It is Our further Will and Pleasure that officers and men of Our Auxiliary and Reserve Forces (naval and military), shall be eligible for the decoration of the Victoria Cross, under the conditions of Our said Warrant, as amended by this, Our Warrant.
Given at Our Court at Osborne, this twenty- third day of April, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-one, in the forty-fourth year of Our Reign.
By her Majesty's Command.
HUGH C.E. CHILDERS.

Victoria R.
VICTORIA, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the Faith, Empress of India, to all to whom these presents shall come, greetings.
Whereas, by a Warrant under Our Royal Sign Manual, countersigned by one of Our Principal Secretaries of State, and bearing date at Our Court at Buckingham Palace, the twenty-ninth day of January, one thousand, eight hundred and fifty-six, in the nineteenth year of Our reign, We did constitute and create a new naval and military decoration, to be styled and designated the "Victoria Cross," which decoration We expressed Our desire should be highly prized and eagerly sought after by the officers and men of Our naval and military services, and did also make, ordain and establish the rules and ordinances therein set forth for the government of the same to be thenceforth inviolably observed and kept.
And whereas, by another Warrant under Our Royal Sign Manual, countersigned by one of Our Principal Secretaries of State and bearing and bearing date at Our Court at Windsor, the twenty-ninth day of October, one thousnad eight hundred and fifty-seven, in the twenty-first year of Our reign, We thought fit to signify Our Royal Will and Pleasure, that the said decoration shall be conferred of the officers and men of the naval and military services of the East India Company, who may be qualified to receive the same in accordance with the rules and ordinances made, ordained and established by Us, for the government thereof, by Our first recited Warrant, aforesaid.
And whereas it has been represented to Us that the Members of the Indian Ecclesiastical Establishments, although not receiving military commissions, are liable to be attached to an army in the field, and are then required to perform the same duties as the commissioned chaplains of Our army, who are eligible for this decoration.
Now know ye that We of Our special grace, certain knowledge and mere notion have thought fit hereby to signify Our Royal Will and Pleasure, that the said decoration shall be conferred on such persons as aforesaid, who may be qualified to receive the same in accordance with the rules and ordinances made, ordained and established by Us, for the government thereof by Our said first recited Warrant, and We do by these presents for Us, Our heirs and successors, ordain and appoint that it shall be competent for such persons as aforesaid to obtain the said decoration in the manner set forth in the rules and ordinances referred to, or in accordance with such further rules and ordinances as may hereafter be made and promulgated by Us, Our heirs and successors, for the government of the said decoration, provided that it be established in any case that the person was serving, for the time being, under the orders of a general or other officer in command of troops in the field.

Given at Our Court at Osborne House,Isle of Wight, this sixth day
of August, one thousand, eight hundred and eighty-one, in the
Forty fifth year of Our reign.
By Her Majesty's Command
HUGH C.E. CHILDERS.


From the London Gazette August 8th 1902
THE King has been graciously pleased to approve of the Decoration of the Victoria Cross being given to the representatives of the undermentioned officers, non-commissioned officers and men who fell during the recent operations in South Africa in the performance of acts of valour, which would, in the opinion of the Commander-in -Chief of the Forces in the Field, have entitled them to be recommended for that distinction had they survived.
(Here follow names)

GEORGE R.& I.
George, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India, to all to whom these presents shall come, Greetings.

WHEREAS Her Majesty Queen Victoria, by a Warrant under Her Royal Sign Manual, countersigned by one of Her Principal Secretaries of State, and bearing date at Her Court at Buckingham Palace, the twenty-ninth day of January, one thousand, eight hundred and fifty-six, in the nineteenth year of her reign, did constitute and create a new naval and military decoration, to be styled and designated the "Victoria Cross," which decoration She expressed Her desire should be highly prized and eagerly sought after by the officers and men of Her Naval and Military Services and did also make, ordain and establish the rules and ordinances therein, set forth for the government of the same, to be thenceforward inviolably observed and kept.
And whereas for divers reasons Us thereunto moving, We are desirous of rewarding the individual gallant services of native officers, non-commissioned officers and men of Our Indian Army by the bestowal of the said decoration, which We are desirous shall be highly prized and eagerly sought after by the said native officers, non-commissioned officers and men.
Now know ye that We, of Our special grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, have thought fit hereby to signify Our Royal Will and Pleasure that the said decoration shall be conferred on the native oficers, non-commissioned officers and men of our Indian Army who may be qualified to receive the same, in accordance with the rules and ordinances made, ordained and established for the government thereof by the said recited Warrant, and We do by these Presents, for Us Our Heirs and successors ordain and appoint that it shall be competent for the native officers, non-commissioned officers and men of Our Indian Army to obtain the said decoration in the manner set forth in the rules and ordinances referred to, or in accordance with any further rules and ordinances which may hereafter be made and promulgated by Us, Our Heirs and Successors, for the government of the said decoration.
And we do further, for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, ordain and appoint that in place of the special pension conferred by the fourteenth rule of the said recited Warrant, every native officer who shall have received the Cross shall from the date of the act by which such decoration has been gained be entitled to a special pension of five hundred and twenty-five rupees a year, and each conditional bar conferred under the fourth rule on such native officer shall carry with it an additional pension of one hundred and fifty rupees a year. In the case of a Warrant or non-commissioned officer or soldier the special pension shall be one hundred and fifty rupees, with seventy-five rupees, with seventy-five rupees additional for each additional bar. On the death of the recipient of the Cross these pensions shall be continued to his widow until her death or remarriage.

Given at Our Court at St James's this 21st day of October, in the
Second year of Our reign, and in the year of Our Lord one thousand nine hundred and eleven
By His Majesty's Command,
HALDANE OF CLOAN.

GEORGE R. & I.

WHEREAS Her Majesty Queen Victoria, by a Warrant under Her Royal Sign Manual dated 29th January 1856, did create a Naval and Military Decoration to be styled and designated "The Victoria Cross," and did express Her desire that this decoration should be highly prized and eagerly sought after by the Officers and Men of Her Naval and Military Services.
AND WHEREAS by divers subsequent Warrants other Officers and Men were admitted to and made eligible for the decoration, and certain amendments were made to the Rules and Ordinances attaching thereto.
AND WHEREAS We deem it expedient that the said Warrant and subsequent Warrants before referred to, as also the Rules and Ordinances affecting the same, shall be consolidated, varied and extended
NOW, THEREFORE, We do hereby declare that the said Warrant, and the Rules and Ordinances hereto in force for the Government of the said Decoration, shall for that purpose be amended, varied, modified and extended; and in substitution thereof We by these presents, for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, are graciously pleased to make, ordain and establish the following Rules and Ordinances for the Government of the same which shall be henceforth be inviolably observed and kept.:~
Firstly: It is ordained that the distinction shall be heretofore be styled and designated "The Victoria Cross," and shall consist of a Maltese Cross of bronze with Our Royal Crest in the centre and underneath it an escroll bearing the inscription: "For Valour."


Secondly: It is ordained that the Cross shall be suspended from the left breast by a red riband, and on these occasions when only the riband is worn a replica of the Cross in miniature shall be affixed to the centre of the riband.


Thirdly: It is ordained that the Cross shall only be awarded for most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy.
Fourthly: It is ordained that the Cross may be awarded posthumously.


Fifthly: It is ordained that the names of all those persons upon or on account of whom We may be pleased to confer ot present the decoration shall be published in the London Gazette, and a Registry thereof kept in the office of Our Secretary of State for War.


Sixthly: It is ordained that:~
1 Officers, Warrant Officers and subordinate Officers hereinafter referred to as Officers, Chief Petty Officers and Petty Officers, hereinafter referred to as Petty Officer, men and boys hereinafter referred to as Seamen serving in ~ (a) Our Navy or in ships of any description for the time being under Naval Command; (b) Our Indian Marine Service; (c) Navies or Marine Services of Our Dominions, Colonies, Dependencies or Protectorates; and (d) Our Mercantile Marine whilst serving under Naval or Military Authority, or who in the course of their duties may become subject to enemy action.
2 Officers, Warrant Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, men and boys hereinafter referred to as Marines, serving in Our Marines.
3 Officers, Warrant Officers (Classes I and II), Non-commissioned Officers, men and boys hereinafter referred to as Privates, of all ranks serving in Our Army, Our Army Reserve, Our Territorial or other forces, and the forces of Our Dominions, Colonies, Dependencies or Protectorates.
4 Officers, Warrant Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and Airmen in the ranks of Our Air Force, or the Air Forces of Our Dominions, Colonies, Dependencies or Protectorates.
5 British and Indian Officers and men of all ranks of Our Indian Army, the Imperial Service Troops of Native States of India or any other Forces there serving under the Command, guidaance, or direction of any British or Indian Officer, or of a Political Officer attached to such Forces on Our behalf.
6 Matrons, Sisters, Nurses of the staff of the Nursing Services and other Services pertaining to Hospitals and Nursing, and Civilians of either sex serving regularly or temporarily under the Orders, direction or supervision of any of the above mentioned Forces shall be eligible for the decoration of the Cross.


Seventhly It is ordained that if any recipient of the Cross shall again perform such an act of bravery, as would have made him or her eligible to receive the Cross, such further act of bravery shall be recoreded by a Bar to be attached to the Riband by which the Cross is suspended, and for every such additional act of bravery, an additional Bar shall be added, and any such Bar or Bars may be awarded posthumously. For every Bar awarded a replica of the Cross in miniature shall be added to the riband when worn alone.


Eighthly It is ordained that every recommendation for the Award of the decoration of the Cross shall be made and reported through the usual channel to the Senior Naval, Military or Air Force Officer Commanding the Force, who shall call for such description, conclusive proof as far as the circumstances of the case will allow, and attestation of the act as he may think requisite, and if he approve he shall recommend the grant of the decoration to Our Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty , Our Secretary of State for War and the Royal Air Force as the case may be, who shall submit to Us the names of everyone so recommended whom they shall consider worthy: in the case of there no British or Indian Officer, then the Political Officer attached to the Force shall, after obtaining conclusive proof of the act of bravery as far as possible, if he approve, submit the recommendation to Us through the proper channels.


Ninthly It is ordained that ion the event of any unit of Our Naval, Military or Air Force, consisting in the case of Our Navy of a squadron, flotilla or ship's company, or a detached body of seamen or marines; or in the case of Our Army of a regiment, squadron, battery or company , or a detached body of soldiers; or in the case of Our Air Force of a squadron or other body of airmen, having distinguished itself collectively by the performance of an act of heroic gallantry or daring in the presence of the enemy in such a way that the Admiral, General or other Officer in Command of the Forces to which such an unit belongs is unable to single out any individual as specially pre-eminent in gallantry or daring, then one or more of the officers, warrant officers, petty officers, non-commissioned officers, seamen, marines, private soldiers or airmen in the ranks comprising the unit shall be selected to be recommended to Us for the award of the Victoria Cross in the following manner:~
(a) When the total personnel of the unit does not exceed 100, then one officer shall be selected for the decoration by the officers engaged; and in like manner one warrant officer or petty officer or non-commissioned officer of the unit shall be selected by the warrant officers or petty officers or non-commissioned officers engaged, and one seaman, marine, private soldier or airman in the ranks shall be selected by the seamen, marines, private soldiers or airmen in the ranks engaged.
(b) When the total personnel of the unit exceeds 100 but does not exceed 200, then the number of seamen, marines, private soldiers or airmen in the ranks to be selected in the manner described in (a) shall be increased to two.
(c) When the total personnel exceeds 200 in number, the number of Crosses to be awarded in accordance with these provisions shall be subject to special consideration by Our Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty or by one of Our Secretaries of State for submission to Us
(d) The selection to be by a secret ballot in such manner as shall be determined in accordance with the foregoing provisions by the Officer directing the selection to be made.
(e) The death of any person engaged shall not be a bar to his selection.
(f) The names of the persons recommended in accordance with these provisions shall be submitted to Us in the manner laid down in Rule 8.


Tenthly: It is ordained that every recipient of the Cross, not being nor ranking as a Commissioned Officer nor, in the case of our Navy, being or ranking with a warrant officer, nor coming within Rule 11, shall from the date of the act by which the decoration has been gained, be entitled to a special pension of Ten Pounds a year, and each additional Bar conferred under Rule 7 on such recipient shall carry with it an additional pension of Five Pounds per annum.


Eleventhly Every Indian Officer of Our Indian Army of rank junior to that of Second Lieutenant who shall have received the Cross shall, from the date of the act by which such decoration has been gained, be entitled to a special pension of Five hundred and twenty -five rupees a year, and each additional Bar conferred on such Indian Officer shall carry with it an additional pension of One hundred and fifty rupees a year. In the case of a Warrant or Non-commissioned Officer or soldier of Our Indian Army aforesaid We ordain and award a special pension of One hundred and fifty rupees with Seventy-five rupees additional for each additional Bar. On the death of these recipients of the Cross these pensions shall be continued to his widow until her death or remarriage.


Twelfthly In order to make such additional provision as shall effectually maintain pure this most homourable distinction, it is ordained that if any person on whom such distinction shall be conferred be convicted of treason, cowardice, felony or of any infamous crime, or if he or she be accused of any such offence and doth not after a reasonable time surrender himself or herself to be tried for the same, his or her name shall by an especial Warrant under Our Royal Sign Manual forthwith be erased from the registry of individuals upon whom the daid decoration shall have been conferred and the pension conferred under Rules 10 and 11 shall cease and determine from the date of such Warrant It is hereby further declared that We, Our Heirs and Successors, shall be sole judges of the circumstances demanding such expulsion; moreover, We shall at all times have power to restore such persons as may at any time have been expelled, both to the enjoyment of the decoration and pension, and notice thereof of expulsion or restoration in every case shall be published in the London Gazette.

Given at Our Court at St> James's this 22nd of May, in the eleventh year of Our reign, and in the year of Our Lord, one thousand, nine hundred and twenty.

By His Majesty's Command
WINSTON S. CHURCHILL.


FORFEITURES.
There have been eight occasions, between 1861 and 1908, when Rule 15 (1856) has been invoked. They are individually named on another page. One of them, James Collis, committed the crime of bigamy. For this he had to forfeit the medal and its pension. He had won the VC during the Afghan War in 1879.
When Collis was arrested, the police were ordered to retrieve the Victoria Cross awarded to him. They found that it had been pawned and it had to be traced and retrieve and returned it to the War Office.
On his death on nthe 28th June 1918, his sister petitioned King George V begging him to replace Collis on the Registry. The King was moved by this appeal and made his opinion known. His Secretary wrote that The king felt strongly about this situation and "that no matter the crime committed by anyone on whom the VC has been conferred, the decoration should not be forfeited. Even were a VC to be hanged for murder, he should be allowed to wear the Cross on the scaffold."
Gunner Collis, although restored never got his medal returned. It had mysteriously disappeared from the War Office. It appeared at auction in 1910 and was sold for an unknown sum. The last time it was seen (to the writer's knowledge) was at auction in 1984 where it fetched £7000. Today, Victoria Crosses are realising £60,000 at auction
today, yet some of its recipients are as Gunner Collis.
Gunner James Collis is buried in an unmarked grave in Wandsworth Cemetery, London. No headstone marks the spot yet his medal is held in high esteem by collectors.